Aims: The overall objective of the proposed studies is to understand the regulation of proinflammatory responses that develop in a spatially distributed, segment specific manner in the intact lung microvasculature. In this proposal, we will determine the role of connexin-dependent intercellular communication in the induction of microvascular responses in lung disease. In the proposed specific aims, we will quantify for the first time vascular segment specific, connexin-dependent spatial spread of endothelial calcium increases (Aim 1), induction of proinflammatory responses (Aim 2), and regulation of intercellular communication in lung disease (Aim 3). We will test the new hypothesis that differences in connexin-regulation invoke differences in lung pro-inflammatory responses, and that connexin-regulation is vascular segment specific. In addition, we will test the new hypothesis that lung inflammation downregulates intercellular communication as part of the recovery process. Procedures: The general approach in this proposal will be to inhibit intercellular communication and then determine calcium communication, reactive oxygen species production, expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, and leukocyte recruitment. Moreover, the extent of intercellular communication is modified in lung disease will be defined. We will inhibit intercellular communication by blocking gap junctions and connexin expression using pharmacological and molecular mechanisms. We will determine intercellular calcium increases by our novel photolysis method. We will determine connexin regulation of microvascular function in individual microvascular segments. Relevance. Acute lung injury, which has a high mortality rate in patients, is attributable to a rapid development of inflammation across the lung's vast vascular surface. Currently, no specific mechanism explains this extensive inflammatory spread. This proposal addresses a new understanding for the development of spatially extensive inflammation. Connexin-dependent intercellular communication of calcium may induce reactive oxygen species generation, expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, and thus leukocyte recruitment and lung injury. However, in lung disease, the recovery may involve downregulation of intercellular communication along with other proinflammatory factors. If our preliminary data hold, then our research will prove for the first time that connexins play a critical role in the spatial spread of inflammation. No previous understanding of these mechanisms exists, and hence, the proposed studies are outstandingly novel and important. PROJECT NARRATIVE: Acute lung injury (ALI) currently has high mortality rate. Our proposal addresses mechanisms that lead to the development of spatially extensive inflammation associated with ALI. Our planned studies will provide a greater understanding of the intercellular communication in lung arterioles, capillaries and venules, and thus lead to development of new therapies for treatment of ALI.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL075503-09
Application #
8204599
Study Section
Respiratory Integrative Biology and Translational Research Study Section (RIBT)
Program Officer
Peavy, Hannah H
Project Start
2003-09-22
Project End
2013-12-31
Budget Start
2012-01-01
Budget End
2013-12-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$201,465
Indirect Cost
$118,800
Name
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
941884009
City
Memphis
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
38163
Escue, Rachel; Kandasamy, Kathirvel; Parthasarathi, Kaushik (2017) Thrombin Induces Inositol Trisphosphate-Mediated Spatially Extensive Responses in Lung Microvessels. Am J Pathol 187:921-935
Kandasamy, Kathirvel; Escue, Rachel; Manna, Jayeeta et al. (2015) Changes in endothelial connexin 43 expression inversely correlate with microvessel permeability and VE-cadherin expression in endotoxin-challenged lungs. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 309:L584-92
Kandasamy, Kathirvel; Parthasarathi, Kaushik (2014) Quantifying single microvessel permeability in isolated blood-perfused rat lung preparation. J Vis Exp :e51552
Kandasamy, Kathirvel; Bezavada, Lavanya; Escue, Rachel B et al. (2013) Lipopolysaccharide induces endoplasmic store Ca2+-dependent inflammatory responses in lung microvessels. PLoS One 8:e63465
Makena, Patrudu S; Gorantla, Vijay K; Ghosh, Manik C et al. (2012) Deletion of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 prevents ventilator-induced lung injury in mice. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 46:461-9
Parthasarathi, Kaushik (2012) Endothelial connexin43 mediates acid-induced increases in pulmonary microvascular permeability. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 303:L33-42
Kandasamy, Kathirvel; Sahu, Geetaram; Parthasarathi, Kaushik (2012) Real-time imaging reveals endothelium-mediated leukocyte retention in LPS-treated lung microvessels. Microvasc Res 83:323-31
Makena, Patrudu S; Gorantla, Vijay K; Ghosh, Manik C et al. (2011) Lung injury caused by high tidal volume mechanical ventilation and hyperoxia is dependent on oxidant-mediated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation. J Appl Physiol (1985) 111:1467-76
Parthasarathi, Kaushik; Bhattacharya, Jahar (2011) Localized acid instillation by a wedged-catheter method reveals a role for vascular gap junctions in spatial expansion of acid injury. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 294:1585-91
Makena, Patrudu S; Luellen, Charlean L; Balazs, Louisa et al. (2010) Preexposure to hyperoxia causes increased lung injury and epithelial apoptosis in mice ventilated with high tidal volumes. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 299:L711-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 16 publications